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While most rheumatologists provide excellent care, we recognize not everyones’ personalities are a perfect fit, and that sometimes can affect care. We always encourage individuals to give your rheumatologist a fair try to ensure there truly is a mismatch. It really takes 6-12 months to determine this, which would be 3-4 visits typically. If you still think you want to consider different care, discussing this with your rheumatologist is a good idea. An honest respectful conversation may help the relationship, but most rheumatologists also respect the need for a second opinion and can help facilitate this. Your family doctor can also do this if you are not comfortable. If you are seeking a third opinion or more, that becomes more challenging to arrange. The wait times to see a rheumatologist are too long, and there needs to be a balance between optimizing the care relationship and ensuring everyone gets access to a rheumatologist.

Beth from Lloydminster asks: What is the difference between an internal medicine specialist and a rheumatologist?

An internal medicine specialist is a doctor for adults who can diagnose and manage a wide variety of complex and multi-system diseases. As part of their training, they will complete rotations in many different areas of medicine, often including some time in rheumatology. To become a rheumatologist in Canada, a doctor first completes core internal medicine training before receiving at least 2 years of further subspecialty training exclusively in rheumatology. While having a rheumatologist manage a rheumatic condition is ideal, there are certainly situations where having an internist involved may be a good choice in care. Any type of doctor – including internist and family doctors – can refer individuals to a rheumatologist for care.

Ahmed from Alberta asks: Where are rheumatologists located in Alberta? Is there a difference between Calgary and Edmonton?

Most rheumatologists in Alberta are located in Edmonton and Calgary, with the split currently about even between the two sites. This is also true of pediatric rheumatologists. Some rheumatologists will do outreach clinics in smaller centres. They have access to very similar resources across the province, so regardless of which rheumatologist you see, you will receive world class care. To find rheumatologists in Alberta, please visit our webpage listing clinic locations. To see a rheumatologist, you must have a referral from your own doctor.

Tamara from Edmonton asks: Do rheumatologists treat Giant Cell Arteritis?

While rheumatologists are often thought of as treating arthritis only, there are many conditions that we treat that can affect other areas of the body. Vasculitis, or inflammation of blood vessels, is an area of expertise for rheumatologists, including Giant Cell Arteritis. Examples of other conditions which can affect other organs besides joints include lupus, scleroderma, polymyalgia rheumatica, myositis, and osteoporosis.

Lorna from Sherwood Park asks: How do I see a rheumatologist?

In Alberta, a rheumatologist sees patients when consulted by another physician. Most commonly, a family physician will feel their patient would benefit from seeing a rheumatologist, particularly if they feel their patient may have inflammatory arthritis or a related rheumatic disease.